Democracy

a system of government where power rests with the people, decision-making

Tyranny

cruel, oppressive, and unjust rule by a single person or small group who has absolute power, ignoring people's rights and freedoms for their own gain

representative government

system where citizens elect officials to make laws and govern on their behalf

Mercantilism

an economic theory and practice from the 16th-18th centuries where nations aimed to build wealth and power by maximizing exports and minimizing imports, accumulating gold

British legislative policy

refers to the body of laws (Acts of Parliament, statutes) and the formal process (Bills debated and passed by Commons, Lords, and Royal Assent) used by the UK Parliament to create binding rules

Colonists’ acts of rebellion

widespread boycotts of taxed goods (Stamp Act, Townshend Acts), public protests like the Boston Massacre, organized defiance such as the Sons of Liberty dumping tea (Boston Tea Party), and direct refusal to comply with laws like the Quartering Act

Causes of revolution

economic distress, political oppression, and social injustice

loyalists

a person who remains loyal to the established ruler or government, especially in the face of a revolt

Patriot

a person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors

Principles of Constitution

foundational ideas guiding government, emphasizing limited power, citizen authority, and rights, with key U.S. principles

Bill of Rights

guaranteeing fundamental individual rights and civil liberties like freedom of speech, religion, and the press, alongside protections such as the right to bear arms

Civilization

the stage of human social and cultural development and organization that is considered most advanced.

manifest destiny

the 19th-century American belief that the U.S. was divinely ordained to expand its territory and spread democracy and capitalism across the entire North American

Industrialization

is the massive shift from a rural, farm-based (agrarian) economy to one dominated by machine manufacturing, factories, and mass production, marked by technological innovation (like steam power, railroads

Migration

the movement of people away from their usual place of residence to a new place of residence, either across an international border or within a State

Assimilation

s the process where immigrant or minority groups adopt the cultural norms, values, and behaviors

13th Amendment

formally abolished slavery

14^th Amendment

granting citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S.

15^th Amendment

a citizen's right to vote based on "race, color, or previous condition of servitude

Sectionalism

intense loyalty to one's region (like North, South, West) over the nation as a whole,

Reconstruction

1865-1877 was the era after the Civil War focused on rebuilding the South,

Immigration

the movement of people from one country to another

Urbanization

is the massive shift of population from rural to urban areas, driven by the Industrial Revolution, technological advances (like railroads, steam power)

Industrialization

is the massive shift from a rural, farm-based (agrarian) economy to one dominated by machine manufacturing, factories

Economic systems

the structured way a society organizes production, distribution, and consumption of goods,

capitalism

an economic system defined by private ownership of capital, free markets driven by competition, profit motive, and minimal government control

socialism

collective/government control of production, equitable wealth distribution, and social welfare

Progressivism

was a major reform movement (roughly 1890s-1920s) focused on using government and expertise to solve problems from industrialization, like corruption, poverty, and inequality, by expanding democracy, regulating business

Social Darwinism

was a late 19th/early 20th-century ideology applying Darwin's "survival of the fittest"

Cult of Domesticity

women rights.

domestic

being at home

 public

being out the home

The Living Constitution

Have constitutional amendments right we have 25 amendments to the Constitution the first technical the Bill of Rights

French and Indian War

The last of the Angle-French colonial war (1754-1763) and the first in which fighting began in North America. The war ended with France's defeat.

Parliament

representative law making body whose members are elected or appointed.

Shay's Rebellion

An armed movement of debt-ridden farmers in western Massachusetts in the winter of 1786-1787.

Federalist

A supporter of the Constitution who favored its ratification.

Antifederalist

An opponent of the Constitution in the debate over its ratification.